UNL ACADEMIC SENATE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES

PRESENT: Aguilar, Bender, Bryant, Ford, Humes, Baum Kuska, Latta, Mayo, Prochaska Cue, Scheideler, Zorn

ABSENT: Williams

DATE: February 24, 1999

PLACE: 1227 R Street, Academic Senate Office

______________________________________________________________________________

1.0 Call to Order

Latta called the meeting to order at 3:05 PM.

2.0 Announcements

2.1 Statistics on Retention and Enrollment of Students of the University of Nebraska

Latta distributed information provided at the Board of Regents meeting on the Retention and Enrollment of Students at the University of Nebraska. She stated that if any of the members of the committee would like to place this on the agenda for future discussion to let her know.

2.2 University-wide Gender Equity Report

Latta reported that a copy of the University-wide Gender Equity Report was distributed at the Board of Regents meeting. She asked for a volunteer to read the report and identify any areas that may need to be discussed by the committee. Scheideler volunteered. Latta noted that the report looked at child care on campus. Scheideler pointed out that this is not a gender issue but a family issue and should not be put into the Gender Equity Report. Latta stated that the committee's scope is broader than the charge given to it. Scheideler stated that they should focus on gender issues. Prochaska Cue noted that child care is an employee benefits issue. Scheideler will review the document and report back to the Executive Committee.

2.3 Hiring Policy

Latta reported that the ACLU and AFCON are reviewing the new hiring policy. She noted that they have some concerns regarding the policy and are having on-going discussions with Associate to the Chancellor Howe. Mayo asked if they were having concerns with the language or the use of the questions? Latta stated that they are concerned with the set of questions that are being asked.

2.4 University of Nebraska-Omaha Wage Increase Request

Latta reported that the UNO collective bargaining unit is asking for a 4.45% wage increase and that UNK has asked for a 3.8% increase. Latta noted that the Board of Regents has approved the UNK increase. She stated that Central Administration has until March 15 to decide whether to contest UNO's increase request. She pointed out that the Board of Regents will not give a differential raise to the separate campuses. Mayo noted that the additional funding to meet the salary request comes out of that individual campus budget. He stated that he is concerned that both UNO and UNK will eventually not have enough funding to support academic programs because they have moved much of that money into salary positions. This could result in problems for UNL in future University budget requests. Bryant asked what kind of committee functions as a bargaining unit for UNL? Latta responded that the Faculty Compensation Advisory Committee works on salaries and benefits and is currently working on the subject.

2.5 Proposed Bylaws 4.3 Revision

Latta reported that she and Sally Wise, Chair of Academic Rights and Responsibilities, met with Dick Wood, General Counsel, and Lee Jones, Executive Vice President, to discuss the proposed revisions to the Bylaws. She noted that they agreed to retain the language of mutual consent but that they encouraged the addition of some kind of alternative mechanism to deal with those cases where mutual consent can not be reached. Latta pointed out that further discussion on the kind of language to be used needs to take place. Scheideler reported that Laurie Hodges, Horticulture, may be putting forth a motion at the Academic Senate meeting calling for the retention of the phrase mutual agreement in the Bylaws. Latta stated that she asked Wood and Jones how the issue arose. She stated that they informed her that in the past they have had some problems in dealing with the change of apportionment to a professor's position.

2.6 Speakers' Bureau

Latta asked committee members to identify people to be part of the speakers' bureau and to let her know of their suggestions.

3.0 Sara Russell, ASUN President

3.1 Mayoral Candidates Forum

Sara Russell, ASUN President and Darius Jackson of Delta Sigma Pi, met with the Executive Committee to discuss co-sponsoring a mayoral candidate forum. Latta suggested proposing two issues to be discussed: 1) the interface between the campuses and the city, in particular the Antelope Creek Project and development along the lines of flood control and 2) facilitating the involvement of the University in the economic success of Lincoln. Latta asked if they would want to hold the forum before or after the primaries? Zorn suggested that another topic may be the increased parking off campus of students and University personnel as the building plans increase on campus. Latta pointed out that the Antelope Creek Project is still a proposal. She noted that the University would bear some degree of responsibility for the project. She stated that the University has made no decision yet as to whether or not it supports the project. Latta noted that it would be helpful to hear what the candidates see as positive and negatives to the project. Russell stated that in addition to the topics already noted, they would also like to have the topics of the economic development of Lincoln, keeping Lincoln as a safe community, and promoting development of the surrounding neighborhoods. Scheideler noted that transportation is another important issue. Jackson stated that Delta Sigma Pi has been considering having a debate after the primaries because they felt it would be easier for the audience to hear two candidates rather than five. He noted that they are looking at the same issues. Russell pointed out that the primaries are held towards the end of the semester when students are very busy and that there may be better turnout if the debate was held earlier. Jackson reported that he will check with his organization to see if they will co-sponsor a debate before the primaries. Russell stated that she will check with her organization. The committee agreed to co-sponsor the forum with the student organizations. Bender volunteered to be the contact person for the Senate.

3.2 Revised UNL Bylaws - Draft Review Process

The Executive Committee discussed the need to examine all the Bylaws of the University. Latta reported that she received a memo from Associate to the Chancellor Howe detailing a variety of language changes that has been incorporated into the UNL Bylaws. She suggested putting together a task force that has representation, particularly from areas where substantive changes have been suggested, to review the changes that are being proposed. She noted that some of the changes are language changes that have come from documents previously approved by the Regents. Latta pointed out that these need to be reviewed for accuracy. However, Latta noted that some changes in wording have been made that need to be reviewed. Russell stated that she has contacted several people and will put together a committee to review the changes. Latta asked if we should have a task force and should we work separately or together with ASUN? Scheideler suggested that a task force may be a good initial start. She asked whose Bylaws these are and pointed out that the UNL Bylaws covers many different levels that each area should be represented. Ford suggested that Jim McShane serve on the committee. Bryant suggested that an outside person could be hired to handle this task. Latta pointed out that a person was hired to accomplish this task however, it was eventually completed by Howe. Zorn noted that we need to see if the changes are correct or in dispute and those areas in dispute need to be reviewed by the affected parties and get comment from them. Mayo noted that internal, historical knowledge is needed to review these changes. Latta stated that the task force will need to go through the document produced by Howe, using the document as an initial guide, but not as a sole basis. She noted they would need to identify those things that need to be addressed. Mayo suggested that the Senate task force and the ASUN committee stay in contact to work on areas where there may be cross-over but not work on it jointly. Ford pointed out that approved primary documents will be needed in order to review if they have been accurately recorded in the Bylaws. Latta stated that she will ask Howe to provide these documents. Scheideler noted that there should be a representative from IANR, preferably someone who has historical prospective. Latta noted that both substantive and technical changes have been made. Ford stated that Howe should separate the substantive changes from the technical changes and that there be one group to deal with each of the different kinds of changes. Zorn pointed out that eventually the changes will need to be approved by the Senate. Latta stated that she will ask Howe to separate out the two issues and to make two drafts: 1) updates and 2) substantive changes. Latta asked that the members suggest names of people to serve on the task force. Mayo volunteered to serve on the task force.

4.0 Approval of 2/10/99 Minutes (Bryant)

Mayo moved and Ford seconded approval of the minutes as amended.

5.0 Draft Resolution Re: Senior Lecturers and Graduate Faculty Membership

Latta reported that she revised Ford's draft of the motion to support the eligibility of Senior Lecturers for Graduate Faculty Membership. She noted that the change included all non-tenured faculty who were reclassified as Senior Lecturers rather than just Visiting Assistant Professors. Ford suggested that we pass the motion in the Executive Committee and email it to all of the faculty urging all Graduate Faculty members to vote yes on the issue. Bryant moved that we accept the revised motion "the Academic Senate of UNL supports the proposal to make non-tenure track faculty classified as senior lecturers eligible for membership in the Graduate Faculty and encourages all Graduate Faculty members at UNL to vote yes on the issue." Mayo seconded the motion. Motion approved. Latta stated that she will put the motion on the floor at the March 2^nd Academic Senate meeting.

6.0 Draft Document from Academic Freedom Coalition of Nebraska: Sexual Orientation

Latta stated that AFCON is looking for feedback from its constituents on their draft document on sexual orientation. Zorn had written Latta stating that while the overall document was favorable, it should be generally applicable to all controversial subjects, not just sexual orientation. Bryant asked if they are asking this to be made a University policy? Bender responded that it is not binding on the University and that they are just looking for input from its members. Bryant pointed out that the document is written for public schools and is not applicable to the University. Bender noted that the document is intended to guide AFCON in dealing with controversial cases. The committee discussed various aspects of the document. Baum Kuska stated that the document should not just refer to sexual orientation and should be made more universal. She noted that the principles are fine but that the cited examples cloud the issues. The committee agreed. Bender thanked the committee for its input and stated that he will give the feedback to AFCON.

7.0 Unfinished Business

7.1 Governor Johanns' Visit

The committee discussed the upcoming visit of Governor Johanns'. Latta stated that she has contacted the Governor and provided him with topics that we would like to see addressed. The committee suggested that Latta send an email message out to all faculty and staff announcing the Governor's visit.

7.2 Nebraska Performance Model

Latta stated that Bryant is summarizing the concerns of the committee on the Nebraska Performance Model and she asked that any additional comments be sent to him.

8.0 New Business

No new business.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:25 PM. The next meeting will be held on March 3^rd, 201 Canfield Administration Building. Respectfully submitted, Miles Bryant, Secretary.